RE:volt! Chapter 38: Third-Party Plotting

  The Dukedom of Cu-lainn.

  Within his chambers, Duke Argos stared at the intelligence reports on his desk. Although bitter rivals, Marqueis Belfroet and Terindelah had begun making their move, halting their war of territorial disputes to focus outwardly. No doubt spurred on by Duke Seldori to prevent further losses between his own Marqueis.

  The duke brushed back his stark white hair, bits of it coming out as he casted his blue eyes over to his servant that held similar color hair despite his youthful appearance that awaited his orders.

  “Sebastian.”

  “Yes mi’lord?”

  “What would you say the odds of Marquis Ostia coming out of this war unscathed?”

  “With Terindelah archers supporting Belfroet armored cavalry?” The sharp faced butler raised a brow, almost as if he were amused by the question. “The heavy armor of the Ostians are praiseworthy but the combined might and mobility of Duke Seldori’s forces make the Ostian armor a detriment rather than a deterrent. Of the available knights, Ostia possesses only a hundred knights while Seldori nearly triples their number.”

  “So your estimate?” Duke Argos tapped on his knuckle on his sweetwood desk laden with reports.

  “Significant losses, not just for Ostia but Seldori too.” Sebastian replied, drawing a surprised look from Argos.

  “Is that so? And here you had me believe that all hope was lost for the Ostians.” Argos chuckled before shifting his piercing gaze to the report. “Support your assertion.”

  “Gladly sir. While Terindelah and Belfroet both possess superior numbers and arms, Ostia possesses a number of mages to augment their forces. I believe Constantine and Seranrae will play a prominent role in stifling the black swarm’s advance.” Sebastian reported, no hint of hesitation within his voice.

  “That is alot of confidence for two mages.” Argos said, “Especially when one is nothing more than a glorified sculpture.”

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  A glint appeared in Sebastian’s eye, the butler aware of something Argos was not.

  “Ah mi’lord. But Constantine is much more than he appears.” Sebastian said, drawing a look from the Duke.

  Constantine was a newcomer, a baron of low birth who had only known nobility for the last twenty years. A mage who had been given control of a disposed noble’s estate as compensation for his services to the Emperor. Admittedly Argos knew next to nothing about the baron, only that thanks to his idiot son’s drunken escapade with his so-called -friends, an unexpected boon had been brought to this world, one that would be in danger should his enemies be made aware of his existence before Argos was ready to unveil him.

  “Is that so? Pray tell, what could the good sculpture be hiding?” Duke Argos asked, narrowing his eyes at the youthful servant that had been with his family for the last two-hundred years.

  “His sculptures sir. Constantine is a golemancer.” Sebastian smiled, revealing sharp teeth that were irregular compared to a human’s. “As a learned man who has been graced with the benevolence of the Emperor of Mankind, I would not discount his preparedness. If you read the expenses report I have provided, you will see a recent uptick in purchases of stone and marble, materials one would assume to be used in the construction of forts and bastions.”

  Argos looked down, stroking the hairs on his chin as he picked up said reports and examined what his spymaster had pointed out.

  “Outside of his estate and the strip of land nearest to the Myrink river, he possesses neither the manpower or the revenue to sustain construction and staffing of forts and defensive structures. Nay, I surmise that these imports of goods are for the facilitation of his magecraft. And rather than defensive, the good Mage Constantine may be looking to go for an offensive play.” Sebastian reported, every word he spoke supported by the reports on Duke Cu-lainn’s desk.

  “Thank you Sebastian. Truly. You never cease to amaze me with your intelligence and skill.” Argos said, leaning back in his chair.

  “Please sir, your flattery is unearned. I am but a humble servant doing his due diligence in accordance with our covenant. Any mortal man could come to the same conclusion if they followed the money.”

  “And yet they didn’t,” Argos said, closing his eyes and inhaling as bits of his hair coated his crisp uniform and desk. “Oh, how I wish I had at least one more of you.”

  “Ah, but for the price of a good soul and a vintage bottle of escari you could.” Sebastian said, his face twisted into a mischievous smile as his master barked out a laugh.

  “Sadly I don’t believe the world would be able to handle two of you.” Argos said sadly before looking over at the report on the slave numbered Six-two-six. “Now… tell me about my grandson. What do we have on him?”

  At the man’s order, Sebastian put on a smile, flicking his hand and revealing documents that were stamped with an official investigator’s seal, papers that pertained to a case involving a certain missing Overseer.

  “And here I was beginning to believe you would never ask.” Sebastian said, eager to share what he had learned of the slave that was more than anyone had thought.